ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Rob Friedrich, head coach of the Navy heavyweight rowing program, announced on Wednesday, the Mids' coaching staff for the upcoming 2021-22 season. Matt Fluhr returns in the elevated position of first assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, while Ethan Shoemaker and Steve Fluhr join as the second heavyweight assistant coach and Hubbard Hall boatman, respectively.

Matt Fluhr, a 2012 Naval Academy graduate and former team captain, will begin his third season as a full-time member of the heavyweight staff this fall. Announced as a full-time assistant coach in September of 2019, Fluhr previously worked alongside the program as an officer rep and volunteer coach. After the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed his first season with the team in 2019-20, Fluhr left his mark this past spring with his work with the lower boats, including leading the third varsity crew to a regular season victory over No. 4 Princeton and a fifth-place result at the IRA National Championship.
 
"Matt Fluhr has been an integral part of our program's culture and we are very excited to promote him to first assistant," remarked Friedrich. "As our team captain from 2012, he knows what it takes to be successful here at Navy and has shown great leadership as a collegiate rowing coach."

Shoemaker comes to Annapolis after a four-year stint at Stetson University, where he served as an assistant coach and leader of the Hatters' men's program. During his time at Stetson, Shoemaker helped the squad earn its first-ever medal at the 2018 Dad Vail Regatta with a silver in the men's varsity four, as well as its first appearance at the IRA National Championships. At the 2019 national regatta, the Hatters' V4+ placed fifth overall in its respective event. This past May, Stetson's first and second varsity eight crews reached the grand finals of the Dad Vail Regatta for the first time. In addition to his work on the water, Shoemaker was the recruiting coordinator for the men's team. 

Prior to Stetson, Shoemaker was the head coach at the Space Coast Crew Club from 2012 through 2017, as well as held roles with the 2013 Penn AC Junior Gold Summer Rowing Program and the 2012 USRowing Youth National Team Development Camp.

He is a 2012 graduate from Marietta College and was a four-year member of the varsity rowing team. Shoemaker, the program's captain as a senior in 2011-12, earned a degree in history with a minor in psychology. Additionally, he earned a certificate of leadership studies from Marietta.
 
"We are very excited to have Ethan join our staff here at Navy," said Friedrich. "I've been impressed with Ethan's knowledge and passion for the sport of rowing throughout the hiring process. He will be a great fit here at Hubbard Hall and has the leadership skills to be a great mentor for the Midshipmen."

The second new member announced by Friedrich is Steve Fluhr, who will be serving as the boatman for the heavyweight, lightweight and women's programs. Fluhr will replace long-time Hubbard Hall boatman Chris Allsopp, who was a staple of Navy Crew from 1998 until his retirement earlier this month. An accomplished member of the rowing community for over 30 years, Fluhr brings experience in national, collegiate, interscholastic, prep and camp environments. Most recently, Fluhr was the head rowing coach at the Hun School of Princeton. Collegiately, he was director of rowing at the Florida Institute of Technology from 1988 to 1990 and Trinity College in Connecticut from 1990 to 2003.

A 1983 graduate from the Florida Institute of Technology, Fluhr has aided the USRowing Association as a regional coordinator (Southeast), as well as a coach of the 1988 U.S. Heavyweight Men's Pre-Elite U-23 Team and 1987 U.S. Men's National Team.

"It's hard to replace a rowing legend like Chris Allsopp, but we are very happy to have found such a great person in Steve Fluhr," said Friedrich in closing. "Steve's wealth of rowing experience, institutional knowledge of the Naval Academy, and his passion for boathouse culture made him a perfect fit for Hubbard Hall."

Coming off of the cancellation of its 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the heavyweight program responded with strong results this past spring season. Ranked inside the top-12 of the national coaches' poll for the entire regular season, the Mids closed out its 2021 slate at the IRA National Championships with top-10 results by their first, second and third varsity eights, as well as by their varsity four. Navy's quality and depth helped it finish sixth overall in the Ten Eyck team point standings.